Department of Family Services – Older Adults

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-7948 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 708
Fairfax, VA 22035
Trina Mayhan-Webb
Director

May is Older Americans and Adult Abuse Prevention Month

Older Americans Month: Powered by Connection May 2024


Older Americans and Adult Abuse Prevention Month 2024


Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May and is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring older adults in our community.

This year’s theme, Powered by Connection, highlights the impact social connections have on our health and overall well-being. 

May is also Adult Abuse Prevention Month. Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults and our goal is to protect older adults and incapacitated adults. Reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation can be made by calling 703-324-7450. Reports can be filed for people who live alone, with relatives or who are residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, or group homes. Learn more about Adult Protective Services.

Photo of Board of Supervisors and Adult and Aging Staff members
 

The Board of Supervisors recognized May as Older Americans Month and Adult Abuse Prevention Month at its May 21, 2024 meeting and presented the following proclamation: 

Whereas, May is national Older Americans Month, and this year's theme, "Powered by Connection," emphasizes that meaningful interactions and social connections are important for the well-being and health of older adults in our community; and 

Whereas, May is also Adult Abuse Prevention Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and we recognize that vulnerable adults need protection from physical, mental and financial abuse, neglect and exploitation; and

Whereas, more than one third of respondents to the 2022 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults reported feelings of loneliness and isolation, and more than 3,500 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation were received in 2023, and 

Whereas, Fairfax County is committed to creating a more age-friendly county through the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan to ensure that older community members have the resources and support needed to age in place with dignity and stay involved and connected in their communities, and protected through the Adult Protective Services Program, the Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Silver Shield Anti-Scam Campaign, and more: Now Therefore 

Be It Resolved, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim May 2024 as Older Americans Month and Adult Abuse Prevention Month 

in Fairfax County, and urges all residents to recognize the contributions of our older adults and promote programs and activities that foster connection, inclusion, protection and support for older adults. 

Image of Proclamation for Older Americans Month and Adult Abuse Prevention Month

 

Fairfax Virtual Assistant